10 Rock Stars with Advanced Degrees

Rock stars are not necessarily known for their academics, but rather their ability to rock a crowded venue. But, there are some musical geniuses that are academically inclined, earning post graduate degrees. Here 10 rock stars that hold a Master's Degree, or PhD. You might be surprised by the academic interests of some of your favorite rock stars.

1. Brian May - Queen

One of the "100 greatest guitarists of all time", Brian May of Queen is a legend. He now holds a PhD in astrophysics from Imperial College. His Thesis was delayed for 30 years due to rock stardom, but today he is the Chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University.

2. Milo Aukerman- Descendents

Milo Aukerman lead singer of the Descendents earned his PHD in biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin. The Descendants are an American punk rock band from Hermosa Beach California that was formed in 1978. As of 2010, they have released six studio albums. Milo has spent his years as not only a singer and songwriter; but also as a research biochemist.

3. Greg Graffin- Bad Religion

Front man and founder of the L.A. based punk rock band Bad Religion, Greg Graffin has been a punk rock legend for 30 years. But in addition to singer and songwriter for Bad Religion, Graffin majored in both geology and anthropology at the University of California, Los Angeles. He later earned his PhD from Cornell in zoology, and is currently a professor at UCLA.

4.Art Garfunkel

Art Garfunkel is the famous American singer/song writer and half of duo, Simon and Garfunkle. He majored in Art History in college and studied further to earn a master's degree in Mathematics from Columbia University. Art Garfunkel was inducted in to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Paul Simon in 1990.

5. Dexter Holland- Offspring

Dexter Holland of the Offspring was a Ph.D. candidate in molecular Biology from the University of Southern California, but abandoned his Ph.D. in favor of focusing on The Offspring. He went on to the University of Southern California, and earned his Master's Degree in molecular biology. Dexter also owns the independent record label, Nitro Records.

6. James Lilja- Offspring

Another member of the Offspring, James Lilja, received his medical degree in Gynecological Oncology, and is now known as Dr. James Lilja, MD. He was drummer, percussionist and background vocals for the Offspring from 1984- 1987. Dr Lilja practices gynecological oncology and obstetrics and gynecology in northern California.

7. Tom Scholz - Boston

Tom Scholz is best known as the founder of the hard rock band Boston. Tom holds both a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In addition to being a musician, he worked at the Polaroid Company as a senior product designer.

8. Lou Reed - The Velvet Underground

Lewis Allan popularly known as Lou Reed of the Velvet Underground earned his degree in English from Syracuse University. The rock musician is a songwriter, and photographer besides being a doctorate degree holder.

9. Sterling Morrison - The Velvet Underground

Sterling Morrison, one of the founding members of The Velvet Underground had a Ph.D. in Medieval Literature from The University of Texas in the early 70's. He left academia for the life of a tugboat captain in the 80's. Sterling Morrison passed away in 1995, a year before the Band was inducted in to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

10. Dean Torrance - Jan and Dean

Dean Torrance from the 1950's group, Jan and Dean holds a MFA in design. Jan and Dean were popular through the mid 1960's popularizing what we know as "Surf Music". In 1970 he received a Grammy Award nomination from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences for the best album cover of the year.